I remember getting VERY frustrated with my buoyancy and wanting to get that figured out real fast. Didn't take too long. I discovered underwater photography and marine life ID shortly thereafter, and haven't looked back. That was 7 years and almost 600 dives ago.
As far as claustrophobia, carrying huge amounts of gear, getting cold, etc....no problemo!
I'm a born and raised Pacific NW gal, always done lots of outside sports here - sailing, hiking, camping, snow climbing, caving, bicycling, skiing (XC mostly), snowshoeing, etc. So getting cold, wet, etc is just par for the course isn't it?
Cold water diving just fits right in!- Janna